Episodes
A small community are putting their bodies on the line to save Greater Gliders before they are gone forever their homes felled by Forestry Corp. Even the local retired school principal has been arrested.Susie Russel almost flys with the Greater Gliders as she describes how they live in the forest, their plight and the deaf ears of the government.Then long time campainer Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) unpicks the vested interests in the Northern NSW native forests...
Published 11/03/24
Warmly, three skilled and powerful women share what they actually do in their jobs as international climate negotiators and advocates. Dr Sally Box, explains her role as Australia's Chief negotiator at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) conferences. Kesaya Baba a Senior Manager for COP31 Strategy and Partnerships with WWF-Australia and Tamara Inkster-Draper; Programme Manager of the International Climate Politics Hub joins the conversation.. With Womens Climate Conversation...
Published 10/26/24
Today on Earth Matters, in the lead up to an upcoming Federal Election, we are looking at how so called fake news is slowing down the environmental action in Australia. We explore how traditional media, and its newer social media cousin, is driving a twin crises that threatens not only the environment, but our minds aswell.Thanks to ABC Friends for their assistance.Check out the Climate of Misinformation report here.Featuring music from Australian artists, Monkey Marc and Combat...
Published 10/20/24
Today's show features an interview from the 26th of September this year with members of Cook Islands grassroots collective Ocean Ancestors Louisa Castledine and Dr Teina Rongo, who spoke about Cook Islanders' concerns about and resistance to deep sea mining in their waters. On the 18th of September, Ocean Ancestors were involved in organising a sail-out rally to demonstrate community support for the fight to protect marine environments, ecosystems and kin from the threat posed by offshore...
Published 10/13/24
Yuin elder, Tom Slockee describes his experience organising the rehousing of aboriginal families who fled their burning houses in Mogo NSW in 2019. Music: Why you tryna bring us down from Melbourne based artist Canisha Barkindji song woman Nancy Bates, latest single, "Blood Red Moon". Set against the backdrop of the Menindee Lakes, in far west New South Wales. It is a celebration of the healing power of nature, friendship, and the enduring strength of women. Wyirrt Wyirrt (Food of the...
Published 09/30/24
The Connecting Communities gathering on Walbunja and Brindja-Yuin Country, Moruya on Saturday 23rd March, bought hundreds of people together for a day of solidarity, unity and acknowledgment of the shared struggles of First Peoples locally and around the globe.A Unity Walk of song and dance, led by Walbunja Songman Jordan Nye, of the Muladha Gamara cultural performers, saw hundreds of people make a Snake Dance across the Moruya Bridge.Eliza Cannon: Co-creator for the day said that the event...
Published 09/22/24
This Womens Climate Conversation identifies some tools and ways forward to caring for future generations and all life. Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower First Nations youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring...
Published 09/07/24
“Caring for future generations and all Life” is the topic of this ground breaker Womens Climate Conversation. “How do we look to the future when we haven’t addressed the historical issues of the past”. Susan Moylan-Coombs Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower...
Published 09/01/24
1080 is primarily used in the struggle to protect native species from other invasive animals - but it is even used to control native dingoes, and other species of wallaby, possum and pademelon. Is it right to cause death in such a traumatic way? And what about the impact on our domesticated four legged friends?We talk to Alex Vince from the Coalition Against 1080 about their push to stop the use of this dangerous chemical.Earth Matters #1465 was produced on Jabirr Jabirr Land by Phil Evans
Published 08/18/24
Samuel Janama Sandy is chair of the Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation representing eleven native title areas across the Beetaloo area that is slated for intensive fracking. Samuel shares some good reasons why fracking companies must: “Pack up and go home”. He documents the unfair “negations” fracking companies imposed on his community to get so-called “agreements” to frack. The impact of fracking chemicals forced into four kilometer deep holes through precious water aquifers is of huge...
Published 08/11/24
Approvals for a new nuclear waste facility on Meandup/Garden Island in WA were recently granted to service US and UK submarines.We speak with Mia Pepper from the Conservation Council of WA and Nuclear Free WA about this latest development in the ongoing AUKUS saga.Featuring music from Monkey Marc, CAIN, Combat Wombat and Krzysztof PendereckiEarth Matters #1463 was produced by Phil Evans on Jabirr Jabirr land.
Published 08/04/24
Today, we're looking at a significant legal battle brewing in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea that voted for independence in 2019. Thousands of residents have come together to file a class action lawsuit against mining giant Rio Tinto and its former subsidiary, Bougainville Copper Ltd, over what they claim is historical mismanagement of the massive Panguna copper mine.We hear from human rights activist and Bougainville advocate, Vikki John.#1463 Produced by Phil Evans...
Published 07/28/24
We catch up with Ella and Nate from Blockade Australia for the latest about their ongoing spree of actions.We also take a look at why Blockade Australia are taking action, and what some of the consequences being faced by activists.Check out https://www.blockadeaustralia.com/ for links and more details.Featuring music by Monkey Marc and DRMNGNOW.Earth Matters #1461 was produced by Phil Evans on Ngarla Pananykarra
Published 07/14/24
What is it like to be an activist in the belly of the beast?We talk to Chris, Fiona, and Rachel from the Pilbara Climate Network about their experience working for climate justice in the remote, north west mining town of Karratha. Many people would have heard the stories of city based activists working to 'Disrupt Burrup Hub' - but what of the folks who wake up to the harsh reality of the mass industrial project everyday?Check out Pilbara Climate Network on Facebook.Featuring music by Monkey...
Published 07/07/24
We hear the story of Coedie, the Wangan and Jagalingou man who for over a thousand and thirty days has been reoccupying his country in defiance of Adanis coal mine, at Waddananggu in QLD On Monday 17th June 2024 Pentarch timber mill, entrances were blockaded for four and a half hours by about 30 people concerned Pentarch is milling illegally logged timber.Meanwhile in the south of NSW South East Forest Rescue has won legal status to sue NSW Forestry Corp. This groundbreaking decision could...
Published 06/30/24
This week, Peter Dutton received a radioactive reception after announcing a bold plan to implement nuclear energy, should the Liberals win the next federal election.It marks a new chapter in Australia’s ongoing climate wars, and while there’s little details about costs or timelines, the prospect of nuclear power has been met with fierce opposition from energy leaders, environmentalists, and state governments.Jacob speaks with nuclear-free campaigner Dr Jim Green; Kokatha elder and...
Published 06/23/24
Fifty Knitting Nannas against Coal, Gas and Greed made power tea in Canberra and needled against the government's Future Gas Plan. What’s the point of going to talk to politicians in Canberra and is it worth it. Nannas will tell you. Then we hear the plea from Aunty Susan Anderson that her flood displaced clan be allowed to return to their houses and cultural connections on Cabbage Tree Island on Bundjalung country near Wardell , NSW. LinksJali Land Council accused of land grab – The...
Published 06/09/24
Much of the environmental catastrophe happening around the world is being driven by ongoing colonialism.Recently Friends of the Earth held a panel discussion looking at the intersection of colonialism and the environment, in context of the current genocide, and ecocide, in Gaza.We hear stories from Australia, Malaysia, and Palestine, drawing together common threads to inspire collective action.We hear from:Jasper Cohen-Hunter: A Gunung-Willam-Balluk man of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people...
Published 06/02/24
Over the last twelve months, scientists have been documenting a string of record breaking temperatures.The global average between May 2023 and April 2024, reached a new record of 1.61 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.While Australia has avoided some of that heat the last month, south east Asia has been in the grips of an extreme heatwave.Jacob speaks to climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft, Filipino climate activist Jefferson Estela, and Research and Advocacy Staff...
Published 05/26/24
Land rights and fight for environmental justice for PalestineProfessor Mazin Qumsiyeh is a scientist, author, activist and academic at Bethlehem University and Director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability. He's in Australia on a speaking tour on land rights and environmental justice in Palestine. Mazin tells us about the work of protecting biodiversity in the context of ongoing colonisation and conflict, the importance of hope and solidarity in the midst of...
Published 05/12/24
Reconnecting with nature; the living world, through Deep Ecology workshops is taking off in Australia. John Seed and his colleagues are helping people all over this country and overseas find their ecological self. The Deep Ecology workshops are booked out and participants are much more mainstream than in the past. Plus: John gives practical suggestions on how to find direction in life.Music: A new recording of Johns Seed singing his song Expanding Universe. Links:John Seeds Deep...
Published 05/05/24
Right now in Brunswick Heads in northern NSW, hundreds of activists are fighting to save an important ecosystem.Property developers have been given the greenlight to build apartment blocks across Wallum, a coastal landscape home to over a dozen threatened species of flora and fauna, and trees that predate British colonisation.Activists are calling the project a ‘zombie development’, with environmental approvals given to the site over a decade ago that likely don’t meet today’s standards.Jacob...
Published 04/28/24
We take a look at how the campaign to stop fracking and unconventional gas mining in WA is going.The long running campaign has had many successes along the way, and has managed to keep the industry at bay in the resource industry captured state.We talk with Claire McKinnon from Lock the Gate WA for the update. Check out and support their great work at frackfreewa.org.auMusic: End of the World Dub by Combat WombatPhoto: Lock the GateProducer: Phil EvansProduced on Whadjuk Noongar boodja -...
Published 04/21/24
Bid for World Heritage listing for the Nullarbor and the Great Australian Bight Mirning Elders supported by the Wilderness Society of South Australia are calling for the Great Australian Bight and the Nullarbor to be World Heritage listed to protect this iconic place for good. Peter Owen outlines the Wilderness Society's work to protect the area going back almost 20 years. Mirning Elders describe their connection to country and the urgency of protecting the Bight and the Nullarbor. And...
Published 04/14/24